Akvilė Urbonavičiūtė

The impact of LED illumination on antioxidant properties of sprouted seeds

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the light emitting diode (LED) spectra on the antioxidant properties of sprouted wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and lentil (Lens esculenta Moenh.) seeds. Lighting experiments were performed under controlled conditions (PPFD - 100 μmol m−2 s−1; 12 h photoperiod; 27°C). The LED conditions used were: L1 - 638 nm; L2 - 455 nm, 638 nm, 669 nm, 731 nm (basal components); L3 - basal + 385 nm; L4 - basal + 510 nm and L5 - basal + 595 nm. Wheat and lentil sprouts were shown to accumulate less phenolic compounds and were more sensitive to light spectral differences when compared to radish sprouts. The antioxidant properties and contents of antioxidant compounds in seeds germinated in the dark were significantly lower than LED treated seeds. The higher content of total phenols and significant increase in alpha-tocopherol and vitamin C concentration resulted in altered DPPH free-radical scavenging capacity. Therefore we conclude that the LED spectra, based on basal components supplemented with green (510 nm) light can improve the antioxidant properties of sprouted seeds of lentil and wheat. The highest antioxidant properties of radish seeds were caused by radiation with supplemental amber (595 nm) light.

Changes in the sensitivity of agricultural plants to the impact of ozone and UV-B radiation in simulated warmer climate conditions@@@Kultūrinių augalų jautrumo ozonui, UV-B spinduliuotei ir dirbtinai sukurto šiltesnio klimato sąlygoms pokyčiai

The sensitivity of agricultural crops and weed to the impact of ozone and UV-B radiation was evaluated according to changes in their dry biomass and concentration of photosynthetic pigments. Pisum sativum L., Raphanus sativus L. and Phleum pretense L. were most sensitive to the impact of ozone in current climatic conditions (350 ppm of CO2 and 21 °C day/14 °C night temperatures). The sensitivity of all test crops to the impact of ozone decreased significantly under warmer cli matic conditions – 700 ppm of CO2 and 25 °C day/19 °C night temperatures. Pisum sativum L. and Chenopodium album L. appeared to be most sensitive to the impact of UV-B radiation under current climatic conditions. Changes in the sensitivity of plants to the impact of UV-B radiation under warmer climatic conditions were not as pronounced as those for ozone, and were highly species-dependent. Sensitivity to the impact of UV-B radiation under warmer climatic conditions decreased for Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. and Chenopodium album L. and increased for Raphanus sativus L. and Phleum pretense L.

Radish plant behaviour under short-term elevated ozone fumigation

Effects of short-term ozone (O3) fumigation on radish (Raphanus sativus L.) plants were examined in growth chambers under controlled environment conditions. Plants were exposed to 0 μg/m3 (reference), 80 μg/m3, 160 μg/m3 and 240 μg/m3 O3 concentrations for 7 h per day for five days. Day/night temperature was 21°C/14°C and photoperiod 16 h. Chlorophyll content was evaluated spectrophotometrically. Chromatographic analysis of saccharides was also undertaken. The results showed that elevated O3 inhibited the growth of radish rhizocarps, net assimilation rate and biomass accumulation. O3 induced leaf desiccation, necrosis and premature senescence, but a typical reaction of plants to O3 stress was the rapid regeneration of new leaves. O3 inhibited accumulation of carotenoids more than chlorophylls. The higher photosynthetic pigment content in newly generated radish leaves may be regarded as an adaptation of the photosynthetic system to O3. Leaf saccharide metabolism and incorporation depended on O3 concentration. Rapid regeneration of new leaves and increased content of photosynthetic pigments is the typical reaction of radish plants to O3 stress.